Top 20 NFL Draft Prospects: Mike Green

Among the draft prospects in the pass-rushing department this year, Mike Green is one of the buzzing names. His sheer explosiveness and raw talent are hard to look past. He’s got that burst and leverage to move quickly into the backfield. He’s also an excellent bender, able to dip at the waist and flatten his rush path without losing momentum. It will be interesting to see where Green ends up but he’s definitely shown he has the foundation to succeed at the next level.

In this article, we take a deep dive into his background and scouting report summary. We’ll also highlight Green’s performance at the NFL Combine.

Background

The 6-foot-3, 251-pound edge was born in Newport News, Virginia. He played both linebacker and tight end for Lafayette High School—the same one that produced the legendary Lawrence Taylor. After high school, he committed to the University of Virginia. He saw little success there, however, enduring a season with limited action and another without seeing the field. He entered the transfer portal and found a new home at Marshall University, where he played in 2023 and 2024.

Collegiate Accolades

Green enjoyed his best football at Marshall when he made the shift to edge. He took up starting roles in his sophomore season and shouldered the responsibility throughout the season. His dominant play earned him second-team AP All-American honors, First-Team All-Sun Belt, and Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year. Green was a finalist for the Ted Hendricks Award—an award given to the nation’s top defensive end. He proved himself a record-setter by posting 17 sacks, leading the FBS, and setting the highest single-season sack record in Sun Belt history. His tally of 17 sacks also tied Marshall’s single-season record. Additionally, he led his team with three forced fumbles.

Scouting Report Summary

When you watch Green, you see a genuinely talented guy with elite athleticism. He’s explosive and always hungry to fight. He’s got that fire in him, very physical and violent in the way he attacks blockers in both phases. Green’s high-energy, relentless style is evident as he takes on blockers with a combination of power and finesse. His explosiveness allows him to slice through gaps and shift directions quickly, making him a constant threat in the backfield.

While his motor can run hot at times, it’s his drive and physicality that keep him pressing forward, always looking to finish the play. Many NFL teams may want to favor larger, more physically imposing edge rushers, but Green makes up for his size with relentless effort and determination.

Strengths

Bends at the waist to reduce his target area: This technique allows Green to lower his center of gravity, making it harder for blockers to get solid contact and providing a faster route to the quarterback.

Quickness to take advantage of oversetting tackles: His ability to exploit when tackles overset positions him to break free quickly, using his speed to get around them and apply pressure on the quarterback.

Has developed a variety of pass-rush moves: Moves like the hop chop and spin make Green unpredictable and versatile in his approach. He always keeps offensive linemen guessing. This skill set will be crucial in the NFL, where blocking schemes are more sophisticated.

Weaknesses

Lacks ideal length and bulk for edge-setting: Given his smaller frame, Green struggles to hold the edge against bigger offensive tackles.

Can easily run out of steam: His high-intensity play sometimes causes him to tire quickly.

Tends to overcommit inside, losing contain: His aggressiveness often leads him to leave the edge vulnerable.

Off-field issues: Teams will have to deal with his off-field controversy.

NFL Combine Results

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